back to school after 12 years

Penina Lenkishon dropped out of school in grade eight when she became pregnant with the first of her five children. Later, she was able to return for a one-year garment-making program, but when that finished in 2010 it looked like Penina would not have the opportunity to continue her education.

However, in January 2022, with financial support from the Margarete-Breuer Stiftung, Penina enrolled to study dressmaking at Isinya Vocational Training Center, in Isinya, Kenya. She left her youngest child in the care of her husband and elderly mother-in-law to pursue her dreams of furthering the studies she had commenced 12 years prior.

The Courage To Be A Mother And A Student

Becoming a full-time student 200 kilometers from her home proved to be a challenge.

“Isinya was difficult as I left a six-month old child, and she was regularly getting unwell. A child that age needs a mother’s care,” she says a tinge of sadness in her voice.

After her first term, she transferred to a school closer to her home— Namelok Vocational Training Center (where she studied garment making 12 years earlier). “It was not easy to transfer, but I had to do it for the sake of the child. I became a day scholar so as to tend to the child and thankfully she is much better health wise,” she says.

Her one-year study in 2010 allowed her to enroll in Grade 2, ahead of her peers. “I learned how to cut fabric to make trousers, which I did not know prior and also how to decorate traditional Maasai regalia with fabric,” she says of the additional skills acquired.

“It is good to go back to school—yes, I have a husband and children. I had no reservations at all as this course will help me and my children, my family, as I will use my skills to make money and take care of them. I was able to complete my studies in August 2022. I was on attachment from August to October 2022,” Penina says.

A Mentor To Her Girls

“The children were really excited to know that even I was going back to school. Especially as they are girls, I am really looking to motivate them to study more than me, go beyond the grade eight that I attained and get a degree. I really want to have good business premises where I can employ others—purchase fabric and stitching machines where I can keep a good business. I will help my family and community better their living conditions,” she concludes.